Circuit control devices utilizing electronic display screen light

ABSTRACT

A control device provides a variable control signal to electrical apparatus and has a control member, such as a stylus or a turnable or slidable member, that is manipulated to vary the signal. Photoelectric sensors detect and track movement of the control member. The control member is disposed at the face of an electronic image display screen which can display calibration marks, identifying labels, current setting and/or other graphics pertinent to operation of the control device. The display screen also operates as the light source for the photoelectric sensors.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/139,078,filed Aug. 24, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,956, for which priority isclaimed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to controls for electrical apparatus and moreparticularly to circuit controls having electronic image display screensfor producing graphics pertinent to operation of the controls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many devices for controlling electrical apparatus have a moveable memberwhich the operator turns or slides in order to vary a control signal.Typically graphics are present in the vicinity of the moveable member toindicate the function of the control and to identify settings of thecontrol along the path of travel of the member. Traditionally suchgraphics are permanently imprinted on a control panel or otherstructural component of the control device.

It has been recognized that it can be advantageous to replace thepermanently imprinted graphics with changeable images produced by anelectronic display screen particularly in the case of a control devicewhich is used to control different functions of the controlled apparatusduring different modes of operation of the apparatus. The display canchange the graphics as needed so that they remain appropriate duringeach of the different control functions.

The function of the electronic display screen has heretofore beenlimited to that of visually presenting information to the operator, suchas calibration marks, current settings, identifying labels and the like.It has not previously been recognized that an electronic display screenmay serve other purposes in addition to displaying information to theoperator of a circuit control device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a control device for providing a controlsignal to electrical apparatus has at least one photosensor whichdetects movement of a moveable member in order to vary the controlsignal. The control device is disposed in front of an electronic imagedisplay screen which can display changeable images conveying informationpertinent to operation of the control device. The display screen is alsothe light source for the photosensor or photosensors.

In another aspect of the invention, the control device further includesa display screen controller conditioned to cause display of a lightpattern wherein different locations in the light pattern are viewed bythe photosensor as the moveable member is moved through settingsthereof. The display screen controller is further conditioned to move alight variation through the locations in the light pattern which lightvariation is detectable by the photosensor to produce a location sensingsignal.

In another aspect of the invention, the moveable member is a stylushaving an end that may be placed at a selected location in front of theimage display area of the display screen. The photosensor is secured tothe stylus and is oriented to view a portion of the image area that isoffset the end of the stylus. In another aspect, the end of the stylusdefines an axis of rotation about which the stylus may be turned. Thephotosensor is positioned on the stylus to view selected locations inthe image display area that lie along a path which extends around theaxis of rotation.

In another aspect of the invention, the moveable member of the controldevice is a knob which is engaged on a base that is attached to thedisplay screen and which is turnable about an axis of rotation.

In still another aspect of the invention the moveable member is a capwhich is slidable along a track, said track and cap being in front ofthe image display area of the image display screen. A display screencontroller is coupled to the display screen and is conditioned to causedisplay of a light pattern which extends along the track and whereindifferent locations along the light pattern correspond to differentsettings of the control device. The photosensor is carried by the cap inposition to receive light from the different locations along the lightpattern as the cap is moved therealong.

The invention enables photoelectric tracking of movement of the moveablemember of a circuit control device using light produced by an electronicdisplay screen which may also display graphics pertinent to operation ofthe control device. A separate light source is not needed. Thiseliminates certain hardware components and electrical conductorsheretofore needed for photoelectric sensing of control member movement.Depending on the particular type of control device, this variouslyreduces structural complication and/or bulk and/or manufacturing cost ofthe control device. In one form of the invention this provides what maybe termed virtual control devices in which settings of the controldevice are identified by images on the display screen and a moveableimage identifying the current setting of the control device. The settingmay be changed by applying the tip of a stylus to the display screen andthen twisting the stylus.

The invention, together with further aspects and advantages thereof, maybe further understood by reference to the following description ofpreferred embodiments and by reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a control devicewherein a control signal for electrical apparatus is varied by operatorturning of a stylus at the face of an electronic display screen.

FIG. 2 is a foreshortened side view of the stylus of the control deviceof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of the bottom end of the stylus of the precedingfigures.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of one example of graphics which may bedisplayed at the screen of the electronic display screen of thepreceding figures when the control device is configured to operate as avirtual potentiometer, a virtual rotary variable resistor or as avirtual rotary switch.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram depicting electrical components ofthe apparatus of the preceding figures.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are jointly a flowchart illustrating suitableprogramming for a data processor component of the apparatus of thepreceding figures.

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of a control panel for electrical apparatuswhich provides a plurality of virtual control devices of the generaltype shown in the preceding figures and which also uses light producedby the display screen for photoelectric detection of movement of aslidable control by an operator.

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of a control device for electrical apparatus inwhich light produced by an electronic display screen is used to trackoperator turning of a turnable knob.

FIG. 9 is a cross section view taken along line 9—9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram showing electrical components ofthe control device of FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart depicting suitable programming for a digital dataprocessor component of the circuit of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a modification of the control device of FIGS.8 and 9 which uses a plurality of photosensors to provide for fasterresponse to changes of the setting of the control device.

FIG. 13 is a cross section view taken along line 13—13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a frontal view of another control device for electricalapparatus in which light produced by an electronic display screen isused to track operator turning of a turnable knob.

FIG. 15 is a cross section view taken along line 15—15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a frontal view of still another control device for electricalapparatus in which light produced by an electronic display screen isused to track operator turning of a turnable knob.

FIG. 17 is a cross section view taken along line 17—17 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a broken out front view of a variation of the control deviceof FIGS. 8 and 9 in which turning of a knob is tracked using a differentform of light pattern display.

FIG. 19 depicts another form of light pattern display which may be usedin the control device of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a front view of another control device of the general typeshown in FIG. 18 and which has added components for increasing precisionof detection of the angular orientation of a turnable knob.

FIG. 21 is a cross section view taken along line 21—21 of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a cross section view taken along line 22—22 of FIG. 7 andshowing a control device in which light produced by an electronicdisplay screen is used to track operator movement of a slidable fadercap.

FIG. 23 is a plan section view taken along line 23—23 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a schematic circuit diagram showing electrical componentswhich interact with the slidable control of the control device of FIGS.22 and 23.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating suitable programming for a dataprocessor component of the apparatus of FIGS. 22 to 24.

FIG. 26 depicts a modification of the circuit of FIG. 24 which increasesresolution of detection of sliding movement of the slidable control.

FIG. 27 diagramatically depicts a first arrangement of components whichincreases resolution in the apparatus of FIGS. 22 to 25.

FIG. 28 diagramatically depicts an alternate arrangement of componentswhich increases resolution in the apparatus of FIGS. 22 to 25.

FIG. 29 is a view corresponding generally to FIG. 23 and illustrating analternate light pattern display that may be used to track movement of aslidable knob.

FIG. 30 is a frontal view of another control device for electricalapparatus which uses electronic display screen light for trackingoperator turning of a knob.

FIG. 31 is a cross section view taken along line 31—31 of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 depicts a portion of a light encoding drum which is a componentof the control device of FIGS. 30 and 31.

FIGS. 33A to 33D are diagrammatic depictions of successive stages in alight beam encoding process which occurs in the control device of FIGS.30 to 32.

FIG. 34A is a flowchart depicting suitable programming for a digitaldata processing component of the control device of FIGS. 30 to 32.

FIG. 34B is a flowchart depicting a subroutine which is part of theprogram shown in FIG. 27A.

FIG. 35 is a section view corresponding to the left side portion of FIG.31 and illustrating a first modification of the control device thereof.

FIG. 36 is a plan view of a portion of a control device similar to thatof FIG. 31 illustrating another modification of the control devicethereof.

FIG. 37 is a cross section view corresponding generally to FIG. 31 whileillustrating a modification of the circuit control device thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In one aspect the invention provides what may be termed virtual controldevices as much of the hardware associated with prior circuit controldevices is not needed. Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, avirtual control device 11 of this kind may be used to enable operatorcontrol of any of the diverse types of electrical apparatus that respondto control signals that are varied by movement of an operatormanipulated control member 12. In this example the operator manipulatedcontrol member 12 is a rod shaped stylus that may be gripped in themanner that a pen or pencil is gripped. The stylus 12 coacts with anelectronic image display screen 13 which may display images of graphics14, simulating calibration marks or the like, that identify thedifferent settings of the control device 11 and which are arranged in acircular pattern in this example. The operator places an end 16 of thestylus at or in proximity to the center of the graphics 14 and twiststhe stylus about its longitudinal axis to vary the control signal whichis produced by the control device 11. In this example of the invention,the display screen 13 displays an image of a pointer or other indicator17 that moves in response to turning of the stylus 12 to identify thecurrently selected setting of the control device 11.

The electronic image display screen 13 may be of any of the known formswhich can display changeable images and may be of conventional internalconstruction except as hereinafter described. In many cases, the displayscreen 13 is preferably of the flat panel display type in which an arrayof minute image pixels can be conditioned to present graphics of anydesired configuration. Examples of flat panel displays of this kind aredescribed in prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,239 which is herein incorporatedby reference.

Electronic circuit components 18 which enable interaction between thestylus 12 and display screen 13 and which will hereinafter be describedare, in this example, embedded in the marginal framing region 19 of thedisplay screen. Alternately, such components 18 may be circuit boardsdisposed against the back of the display screen 13 or may be situated ina housing which is separate from the display screen assembly. In thisexample, a multi-pin connector 21 at the marginal framing region 19provides for transmission of the control signals produced by the controldevice 11 to the controlled circuit. An external connector 21 is notneeded in instances where the control device 11 is fastened to thehousing or the like of the controlled circuit or in instances where thecontrol signals are transmitted to the controlled circuit by means otherthan wire conductors such as by radio signals or optical signals forexample.

Application of the stylus 12 to the image display area 22 of displayscreen 13 is detected by a touch screen 23 which overlays the imageproducing layers 24 of the screen, the touch screen being formed oftransparent materials in the known manner. The touch screen 23 may be ofany of the known types which produce a touch signal when a stylus or aperson's finger contacts the screen or in some cases is simply broughtinto close proximity to the screen. Touch screens of the resistive orsurface wave types require actual contact with the screen. Touch screensof the capacitive type do not. Infrared touch screens respond tointerruption of arrays of parallel infrared light beams that extendacross the touch sensitive area.

Referring jointly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower end 16 of stylus 12 is apointed tip which establishes a point of contact or near contact withthe screen that is situated on the central axis 26 of the stylus whichaxis is the axis of rotation of the stylus when it is turned to vary thecontrol signal that is produced by the control device. Electroniccomponents 27 of the stylus 12 which will be hereinafter described arecontained within a lower portion of the body of the stylus and a batterycompartment 28 within the upper portion is accessible by removal of acap 29 which is screwed onto or snap fitted onto the top of the stylus.

Stylus 12 differs from a pen/stylus of the kind heretofore used forentering written data into touch screens, such as in notebook computersfor example, in that it has means 31 for sensing turning of the stylusabout the axis of rotation 26 when the stylus is in a more or lessupright orientation relative to the screen. In particular, a photosensor32 and light focusing lens 33 are carried by the stylus 12 and arepositioned and oriented to cause the photosensor to view a minuteportion 34 of the image display area 22 that is offset from the portion36 towards which the pointed tip 16 of the stylus is directed. Thus thephotosensor 32 responds to light and the absence of light in a portion34 of the displayed image that is laterally spaced from the axis ofrotation 26 of the stylus 12.

Photosensor 32 may be a phototransistor or a photodiode for example andin this embodiment is contained within an annular enlargement 37 whichencircles the body of the stylus 12 adjacent to the pointed lower end 16of the stylus. The photosensor 32 and light focusing lens 33 arecontained within a passage 38 which extends up into enlargement 37 inparallel relationship to the axis of rotation 26 of the stylus.

Referring jointly to FIGS. 2 and 4, the display screen 13 displays acircular light pattern 39 at image display area 22 that enables trackingof angular movement of the stylus 12 while the pointed tip 16 of thestylus is at the center 41 of the light pattern and the stylus is beingturned. In this example the light pattern 39 is a black ring having awhite center 41 which identifies the target area for the tip of thestylus. As will hereinafter be described in more detail, a touch of thestylus at center 41 causes a radially directed white scan line 42 in thelight pattern 39 to rotate about the center 41 at a rapid rate. Passageof scan line 42 under the photosensor 32 initiates a location sensingsignal in a manner to be hereinafter described that enablesidentification of the current angular orientation of stylus 12. In analternate arrangement the light pattern 39 may have a rotating blackradial line in a white background.

The display screen image depicted in FIG. 4 for purposes of exampleprovides for a virtual rotary potentiometer for producing a controlsignal having a value that increases as the stylus is turned in onedirection and which decreases as it is turned in the opposite direction.Specific settings of the control device can be identified by lines 43and/or other graphics 44 situated around the light pattern 39 which maythemselves be portions of the image which is generated by the displayscreen 13. The image includes the previously described indicator 17which moves to identify the currently selected setting of the controldevice. If desired, the screen 13 may display still other informationthat may be pertinent to operation of the control device or otherwise beof interest to the operator.

Referring to FIG. 5, electrical circuit components of the control devicethat are contained within the stylus are shown enclosed in dashedrectangle 12. Circuit components contained within the display screenframing are shown enclosed by dashed rectangle 18. Within the stylus 12,the output signal of photosensor 32 is a location sensing signal whichhas a first magnitude when the photosensor is viewing a white area atthe image display screen 24 and a second magnitude when it is viewing ablack area. This output signal is amplified by an amplifier 46 andapplied to a radio transmitter 47 through a digital microcontroller 48.Transmitter 47 has a first antenna 49 which is contained within thestylus 12. The signal is received by a radio receiver 50 having a secondantenna 51 which components are within the framing region of the displayscreen. Radio transmitter 47 and receiver 50 can be replaced by aflexible cord extending from stylus 12 to the framing region of thedisplay screen 13 but radio transmission of the location sensing signalsis usually more convenient to the operator.

This particular embodiment of the invention makes use of a pre-existingtype of stylus 12 or pen to which the photosensor 32, lens 33 andamplifier 46 have been added. Pre-existing styluses of this kind, usedfor handwriting data onto a screen for entry into a digital dataprocessor, contain a circuit 55 which applies a stylus position signalto the radio transmitter 47 through the microcontroller 48. In someusages of the present invention it is advantageous to retain thiscapability of handwriting data into a controlled circuit by use of thestylus 12. This is not necessary in all uses of the present inventionand thus the circuit 55 and microcontroller 48 need not be present inall cases. The photosensor signal may be applied to the radiotransmitter 47 through an analog to digital converter in instances whereno microcontroller 48 is present in the stylus 12.

A display screen controller 52 is coupled to the display screen 24 andmay be of one of the known forms that can be programmed or conditionedin a known manner to cause the screen to display any desired imageincluding changing images and images which undergo movement.

Radio receiver 50 applies the location sensing signal from stylus 12 toa digital data processor 53 which in this example is a microprocessorsituated in the framing region of the display screen. The data processor53 also receives the touch signals produced by the previously describedtouch screen 23 which indicate that an operator has emplaced the tip ofthe stylus at the screen. Referring jointly to FIGS. 4 and 5, the dataprocessor 53 responds to a touch signal by signaling display screencontroller 52 to begin rotation of the previously described scan line 42in the virtual potentiometer image. Each passage of scan line 42 throughthe focal point of lens 33 causes photosensor 32 to transmit a locationsensing signal to the data processor 53 in the previously describedmanner. This enables the data processor 53 to determine the currentangular orientation of the stylus and to track turning of the stylus bythe operator. The data processor 53 sends a virtual pointer signal tothe display screen controller 52 which causes the controller to move thepreviously described pointer image 17 to an angular position around theaxis of rotation that identifies the current setting of the controldevice as determined by operator turning of the stylus.

The virtual pointer signal is a digital signal encoding a value that:increases as the stylus is turned in one angular direction and decreasesas it is turned in the opposite angular direction. Thus the virtualpointer signal can also be the control signal which is outputted to thecircuit 54 which the control device of the present invention iscontrolling in instances where the controlled circuit responds tocontrol signals in digital form. The control signal may be transmittedthrough a digital to analog converter in instances where the controlledcircuit 54 is of a type which responds to a variable voltage controlsignal.

The control signal which is outputted by the control device need notnecessarily be equal in magnitude to the virtual pointer signal nor varywith the virtual pointer signal in a strictly proportional manner. Thedata processor 53 can be configured to have an internal look up table inwhich a control signal value that is to be outputted is assigned to eachsuccessive virtual pointer signal value. Thus the control signal can becaused to vary in a linear manner in response to turning of the stylusor to vary in a logarithmic manner or to follow any other desiredresponse curve.

FIGS. 6A and 6B jointly depict programming which enables the dataprocessor 53 to effect the above described operations. Referring jointlyto FIG. 4 and FIGS. 6A and 6B, the notation “RLP ROTATION” (RotatingLine of Pixels Rotation) in the flowchart refers to the previouslydescribed rotation of scan line 42 in the image which causes thephotosensor to transmit a location sensing signal. “RLP” refers to avalue which the data processor stores that is indicative of the angularorientation of scan line 42 at the time that the last location sensingsignal occurred. “RLPN” refers to a new value for RLP resulting fromturning of the stylus by an operator. The notation “VPO” refers to theabove discussed virtual pointer signal. “TARGET AREA” refers to thecenter 41 of the virtual potentiometer image at which the tip of thestylus is emplaced. “PEN POSITION FLAG” refers to the above discussedlocation sensing signal that is produced by the photosensor.

As indicated at box 56 of the flowchart, the program initially maintainsthe scan line 42 in a stationary condition and at box 57 stores avirtual pointer position signal which encodes the last detected angularorientation of the virtual pointer 17. At decision box 58 the programrepetitively checks for the presence of a touch signal which indicatesthat an operator is applying the stylus to the target area. If no touchsignal is detected the program stops rotation of the scan line 42 if itis currently rotating as indicated at box 59. If a touch signal isdetected the program starts rotation of the scan line 42 if it is notalready rotating as indicated at decision box 61 and awaits a locationsensing signal from the photosensor as indicated in decision box 62. Atbox 63 the program stores a value RLP when the location sensing signaloccurs, which value is indicative of the angular orientation of the scanline 42 at that time, if there is no previous RLP value in storage. Ifthere is already a stored RLP value the program also stores a new valueRLPN as shown at box 64 that is indicative of the current angularorientation of the scan line 42.

At that point, as shown in box 65, the program compares the previouslystored RLP value and the new RLP value to determine if there is adifference in the two values. If they are the same, the virtual pointer17 position signal VPO is not changed. If RLPN is greater than RLP,indicating operator turning of the stylus, then the difference betweenthe two values is added to the previous VPO value and 360° is subtractedfrom the result if the result is greater than 360°. If RLPN is less thanRLP then the difference between the two values is subtracted from theprevious VPO value and 360° is added to the result if the result is lessthan 0°.

At box 66, if the VPO value has changed, the program signals the displayscreen controller 52 to move the virtual pointer image 17 to the angularorientation which corresponds to the new VPO value. The program alsoadjusts the control signal which is being sent to the controlled circuit54 to correspond the control signal with the change in the VPO value.

Then, at box 67, the program changes the stored RLP value to a valuecorresponding to that of the new RLPN value. The program then loops backto decision box 58 and repeats the operations described above withreference to box 58 and subsequent boxes.

Thus, with reference again to FIG. 5, the program provides digital dataprocessing means 70 a for storing a changeable first value whichidentifies the last operator selected one of the control devicesettings, means 70 b for varying the control signal in response tovariation of the first value, means 70 c for storing a changing secondvalue which is indicative of the current position of the scan line alongits circular path and means 70 d for conforming the first value with thesecond value in response to the location sensing signals.

Many types of electrical apparatus require a plurality of controls thatproduce a plurality of control signals. Referring now to FIG. 7,additional control signals for one or more controlled circuits can beproduced by providing additional virtual control images of thepreviously described type, such as virtual control images 68, 69 and 71,at an electronic image display screen 13. The same stylus may be used tooperate the several controls. The touch screen 23 enables the digitaldata processor to determine which control is being adjusted at any giventime.

The images or graphics at the several virtual controls of the controlpanel 72 are not necessarily similar to the graphics 12 which have beenpreviously described. Virtual control 68, for example, does not have apointer shaped moveable indicator to identify the current setting of thecontrol. Rather, successive settings of the control 68 are identified bya series of angularly spaced circle images 73 and the display screencontroller is conditioned to darken the circle which represents thecurrently selected setting of the control. If the display screen 13 isof the polychromatic type, the circle or the like at the selectedsetting may be caused to display a different color than the others. Thevirtual control image does not necessarily have a circular array ofsetting identifiers centered on the axis of rotation of the stylus. Forexample, virtual control 69 displays graphics appropriate for use of thevirtual control as a two position on/off switch for the controlledcircuit. Virtual control 69 displays a readout window 74 at which thecurrent setting of the control is displayed, the control being a volumecontrol for an audio system in this example. If desired, the displayscreen controller can be conditioned to erase the virtual controls 12,68, 69 and 71 from the screen 13 in response to a stylus touch at aparticular location on the screen and to return the virtual controlimages in response to a subsequent touch.

In some instances it can be advantageous to provide the control panel 72with a screen area 76 which has optical character recognitioncapabilities which screens are used in notebook computers or the like.This enables handwritten entry of data into a controlled circuit usingthe previously described stylus.

The concept of using light generated by an electronic display screen totrack movement of an operator manipulated member is not limited tovirtual controls of the above described stylus operated type. Referringjointly to FIGS. 8 and 9, a display screen 13 similar to that previouslydescribed may be used for this purpose in conjunction with a controldevice 116 at which the operator varies a control signal by turning arotatable knob 117. The knob 117 is disposed in front of the imagedisplay area 22 of display screen 13 over an annular outer base member118 which is adhered or otherwise fastened to the face of the screen. Aninner base member 119, also adhered or otherwise fastened to the base ofthe screen 13, provides for electrical connections to the turnable knob117 as will hereinafter be described. Knob 117 has a snap engagement 121with the outer base member 118 in this particular example but may beattached to a base in any of the other known ways which enable rotationof a knob relative to a base.

Display screen 13 displays a circular light pattern 39 similar to thatpreviously described which is centered on the axis of rotation 122 ofknob 117 and which has a radially directed contrasting scan line 42 thatrevolves around the axis of rotation at a rapid rate. Light pattern 39has a diameter which situates it between the outer base member 118 andinner base member 119. A photosensor 32 of the previously described kindis embedded in knob 117 at a location which is offset from the axis ofrotation 122. Photosensor 32 receives light from the currentlyunderlying area of light pattern 39 through a focusing lens 33 situatedin a passage 123 in the knob which is directed towards light pattern 39.Thus the photosensor 32 produces a location sensing signal in thepreviously described manner each time that the scan line 42 passesthrough the viewing aperture established by lens 33.

Electrical connections to the photosensor 32 are provided by a pair ofwiper contacts 124 which extend outward from the back of knob 117. Eachwiper contact 124 rides against a separate one of a pair of annularconductive bands 126 of differing diameter which are secured to theinner base member 119 and which are in coaxial relationship with theaxis of rotation 122 of knob 117. Conductors 127 connect the bands 126with other components of the electronic circuit 18 of the control device116 which are in the framing region 19 of the display screen 13.Conductors 127 are preferably formed of transparent conductive materialsuch as indium tin oxide and are preferably at the back of thetransparent cover plate 128 which forms the outermost layer of thedisplay screen 13.

The electrical circuit of the control device 116 may be similar to onlya portion of the circuit previously described with reference to FIG. 5as this example of the control device 116 does not include the touchscreen of the previously described embodiment nor the radio componentsfor transmitting signals. Thus, with reference jointly to FIGS. 9 and10, the photosensor circuit 129 of control device 116 delivers thelocation sensing signal originated at photosensor 32 to a digital dataprocessor which is a microprocessor 53 in this example. Microprocessor53 controls cycling of the light pattern 39 at the display screen 13 anddelivers a control signal to the controlled circuit 54 in a manneressentially similar to that previously described in connection with theembodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6B. Suitable programming of the microprocessor53 for this purpose is shown in flowchart form in FIG. 11.

In FIG. 11 the notation “RLP” (Rotating Light Pixels) again refers tothe radially directed scan line 42, shown in FIG. 8, which repetitivelytravels around the light pattern 39. Referring again to FIG. 11, theprogram begins rotation of the scan line at start up as indicated at box130 and repetitively checks for a location sensing signal from thephotosensor as indicated at boxes 131 and 132. Following each suchcheck, the program rotates the scan line incrementally to its nextposition as indicated at box 133. If a location sensing signal isreceived from the photosensor then, as indicated at box 134, the programstores the current position of the scan line, sends this information tothe display screen controller and conforms the magnitude of the controlsignal which is outputted by the control device with the currentposition of the scan line.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the display screen controller is conditionedto cause display of a pointer image 17 which turns with knob 117 toindicate the current setting of the control device 116. Graphics 14which identify the successive settings of the control device may in somecases be permanently imprinted but are preferably also changeable imagesproduced by the display screen. This allows the graphics 14 to change ifthe control device 116 is a multi-function device that is used toprovide different control signals to the controlled circuit duringdifferent modes of operation of the circuit.

The time required for the control device 116 to detect and react tomovement of the knob 117 can be decreased by providing additionalphotosensors 32 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 which photosensors areangularly spaced apart around the axis of rotation 122 of the knob.There are four photosensors 32 in this particular example although alesser or greater number can be provided depending on the response speedwhich is desired. An additional wiper contact 124 and conductive band126 is provided for each additional photosensor 32 in order to connectthe photosensors to the electronic circuit 18 at the framing region 19of the flat panel display 13.

The construction of the control device 116 can be modified in a waywhich does not require that electronic components such as photosensor 32be in the knob 117 and which eliminates the need for sliding wipercontacts 124. In particular, with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, thephotosensor 32 may be mounted on the stationary inner base member 119 aat the axis of rotation 122 of knob 117 in an orientation at which thephotosensor faces the knob. A linear light pipe 136 or fibre opticextends radially within a light pipe disk 137 which forms the backportion of the knob 117. Light pipe 136 extends from an opening 135 atthe center of disk 137 to a passage 138 in the disk that is offset fromthe axis 122 of knob rotation and which is directed towards thepreviously described light pattern 39 that is displayed by displayscreen 13. A lens 33 in passage 138 views an underlying small area ofthe light pattern 39 and directs light from that area to a first mirror139 that redirects the light into the radially outermost end of lightpipe 136. A second mirror 141 at the opposite end of the light pipe 136reflects the light to photosensor 32 through another focusing lens 142situated at the face of the photosensor. Thus the photosensor 32receives a light pulse and initiates a location sensing signal each timethat the rotating scan line 42 passes through the viewing aperture oflens 33. Except as described above the control device 116 a may besimilar to the control device 116 previously described with reference toFIGS. 8 to 11 and may operate in a similar manner.

The mirrors 139 and 141 of the control device 116 a of FIGS. 14 and 15are not needed if the linear light pipe 136 is replaced with a curvedlight pipe 136 a as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The curved light pipe 136a has a radially outermost end 145 which curves towards the displayscreen 13 in order to receive light from an underlying small area of thelight pattern 39. The opposite end of the light pipe 136 a curvestowards lens 142 and photosensor 32 to deliver the light to thephotosensor. In this modification, the lens 142 and photosensor 32 aresecured to the inner base member 119 b at a location which is spacedapart from the light pipe disk 137 b and are again centered on the axisof rotation 122 of the knob 117.

With continued reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, resolution of the controldevice 116 b with respect to detecting small degrees of turning of theknob 117 can be increased by providing additional light pipes, therebeing three light pipes 136 a, 136 b and 136 c in this example. Thisallows the data processor to average three separate readings for eachrevolution of the scan line. The angular orientation of the three lightpipes 136 a, 136 b and 136 c relative to the axis of rotation 122 isnon-symmetrical. In this example light pipe 136 a extends at a 90° anglerelative to both light pipes 136 b and 136 c while the angular spacingof light pipes 136 b and 136 c relative to each other is 180°.Consequently the three location sensing signals that originate duringeach scan line revolution are closer together in time then the threesignals which originate in the previous scan line revolution or in thefollowing scan line revolution. This allows the data processor todetermine which three location readings are to be averaged for each scanline revolution.

Except as described above the control device 116 b of FIGS. 16 and 17may be similar to the control device 116 previously described withreference to FIGS. 8 to 11 and may operate in a similar manner.

Use of a light pattern produced by an electronic display screen to trackturning of a knob is not confined to light patterns through which a scanline is repetitively swept in the previously described manner. FIG. 18depicts a control device 116 c which may have a physical constructionsimilar to that of the embodiment previously described with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9 but in which the light pattern 39 c which is viewed by thephotosensor 32 differs from that of the previously described embodiment.In the embodiment of FIG. 18 the annular light pattern 39 c is darkestat a particular location 135 in the band of light and which becomesprogressively brighter at successive locations around the band. Thus thelocation sensing signal produced by the photosensor 32 has a magnitudethat is dependent on the angular orientation of the knob 117 and whichthereby identifies the current setting of the knob. The output signal ofphotosensor 32 may be amplified for use as the control signal which isproduced by the control device 116 c or the microprocessor mayprogrammed to produce a control signal which varies in any desiredmanner in response to changes in the photosensor signal.

The brightness of successive locations in the light pattern 39 a neednot necessarily vary continuously in the above described manner. FIG. 19depicts an alternate light pattern 39 b which is particularly suited forcontrol devices having a limited number of settings. Light pattern 39 bhas a series of angularly spaced apart areas 140 each of which has adifferent brightness and each of which is positioned to be viewed by thephotosensor 32 when the control device is at a different one of itssettings.

Accuracy of a control device of the type previously described withreference to FIG. 18 can be enhanced by providing one or more additionalphotosensors which view one or more different locations in the annularlight pattern 39 a. This provides one or more supplementary locationsensing signals for validating the primary location sensing signalproduced by the photosensor 32. One example of a control device 116 d ofthis kind is shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. The control device 115 d has afirst photosensor 32 a positioned in the turnable knob 117 to view thelight pattern 39 a in an arrangement similar to that previouslydescribed with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9. A secondphotosensor 32 b of the embodiment of FIGS. 20 and 21 is situated at thecenter of an inner base member 119 a and views the light pattern 39 athrough mirrors 139 and 141 in an arrangement similar to that previouslydescribed with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 14 and 15.

The previously described embodiments of the invention all make use oflight produced by an electronic display screen to track movement of amember that is rotated by an operator. The concept is also applicable tocontrol devices at which the operators slides a member along a linearpath. Referring again to FIG. 7, the previously described control panel72 is provided with another control device 77 which is of the linearpotentiometer or fader type. In a control device of this type theoperator selectively varies a control signal by sliding a fader cap 78along a linear path of travel. In the present instance the path oftravel extends along the face of the image display screen 13 within theimage display area 22. Markings 79 identifying successive settings ofthe control device 77, if needed, can be changeable images displayed bythe screen 13.

Referring jointly to FIGS. 7 and 22, cap 78 travels along a pair ofspaced apart parallel rails 81 which are secured to the face of thedisplay screen 13 by adhesive or other means. Laterally enlarged outerportions 82 of the rails 81 extend through conforming passages 83 in thecap 78 to retain the cap on the rails. A photosensor 32 is situatedwithin cap 78 at a location which is between rails 81 and views anunderlying small area 84 of the display screen through a passage 86 inthe cap which contains a light focusing lens 33. Rails 81 are formed of,or at least coated with, electrically conductive metal thereby enablinguse of the rails to connect the photosensor 32 with other circuitcomponents situated in a circuit board 18 situated in the marginalframing region 19 of the display screen 13. The photosensor 32 isconnected across two conductive pins 87 which protrude from theunderside of the cap 78 preferably at locations which are between thetwo rails. A flexible wiper contact 88 extends from each pin 87 andrides against the inner side of the adjacent one of the two rails 81. Ininstances where the rails 81 do not extend to the marginal framingregion 19 of the display screen, transparent conductors 89 extend fromeach rail 81 to the circuit board 18 at the framing region preferablybeneath the transparent cover plate 91 which forms the outermost layerof the display screen.

Referring jointly to FIGS. 23 and 24, the output signals from thephotosensor circuit 92 are received by a digital data processor which isa microprocessor 53 in this example. Microprocessor 53 is coupled to thedisplay screen controller 52 and delivers the control signal to thecontrolled circuit 54 in the manner previously described with referenceto the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6. Referring again to FIGS. 23 and 24,the display screen controller 52 is conditioned to cause display of alinear light pattern 93 that extends along the face of the displayscreen between rails 81 in position to be viewed by the photosensor 32.A transversely directed scan line 94 is displayed within the lightpattern 93 that repetitively moves from one end of the light pattern tothe other end. Light pattern 93 is black and line 94 is white in thisexample although the pattern may be white and the line black in analternate arrangement.

Each passage of the moving line 94 through the field of view ofphotosensor 32 causes the photosensor circuit 92 to deliver a locationsensing signal to microprocessor 53. This enables the microprocessor 53to determine the momentary location of the photosensor 32 and to adjustthe control signal which is sent to the controlled circuit 54 to accordwith the current position of the photosensor. Programming of themicroprocessor 53 for this purpose may be as depicted in FIG. 25.

The notation “LSLP” (Linearly Stepping Light Pixel Bar) in FIG. 25refers to the previously described moving scan line 94. As indicated atbox 96 in FIG. 25, the moving line is displayed following start up andas indicated at decision box 97 the program then checks to see if alocation sensing signal (i.e. photosensor output) is being produced asindicated at decision box 98. If there is no location sensing signal theprogram steps the moving line incrementally to its next position asindicated at box 99 and again checks to see if a location sensing signalis being produced. If a location sensing signal is detected at decisionbox 98 then as indicated at box 101 the program notes and stores themomentary position of the moving line, sends the position to the displayscreen controller and conforms the magnitude of the control signal whichis being produced by the control device with that position. The programthen again steps the moving line incrementally to its next position asindicated at box 99 and continues to check for the next location sensingsignal as indicated at decision box 98.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, some uses of the sliding cap type ofcontrol device 77 require that the control have only a small number ofsettings. In such usages, a sizable movement of the cap 78 can occurbetween each setting and it is not necessary that the system be able todetect and respond to relatively small adjustments of the cap. In otherinstances it is desirable to detect very small movements of the cap 78and that the recognition of cap movement occur as rapidly as possible.This enables outputting of a close approximation of a continuouslyvariable control signal as opposed to a stepped control signal.Resolution of the control device 77 with respect to cap movement and therecognition time 48 can be optimized by minimizing the width of the scanline 48 and by minimizing the viewing aperture 84 of photosensor 32which is established by lens 33.

Referring to FIG. 26, resolution of successive small movements of thesliding cap can be further increased if the cap carries more than onephotosensor 32, there being two photosensors in this example. Thisrequires that the control device 77 a have three of the rails 81 andthree of the wiper contacts 88 in order to electrically connect eachphotosensor 32 to its photosensor circuit 92. The location sensingsignals produced by the photosensors 32 are delivered to themicroprocessor 53 which is coupled to the display screen controller 52and which transmits control signals to the controlled circuit 54 in thepreviously described manner. Referring jointly to FIGS. 26 and 27, thetwo photosensors 32 are spaced apart in a direction at right angles tothe path of travel 109 of the scanning scan line 94. The resolutionincreasing effect in this example is realized by also spacing thephotosensors 32 apart in the direction of travel 109. The spacing inthis example is such that the viewing aperture 84 of one photosensor 32is offset from the viewing aperture 84 of the other photosensor, indirection 109, by a distance corresponding to one half of the diameterof the viewing apertures. Consequently two location sensing signals areproduced as the scan line 94 travels a distance that would otherwiseproduce only a single location sensing signal.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 28, a similar resolution increasing effect canbe realized with the viewing apertures 84 of the two photosensors 32 ina strictly side by side relationship. In this arrangement, the displayscreen controller 52 is conditioned to travel a scan line 94 having twosegments 111 and 112 through the viewing apertures 84 in a repetitivemanner, each of the segments being viewed by a separate one of thephotosensors 32. The leading edge 113 of one scan line segment 111 isoffset, in the direction of travel 109, from the leading edge 114 of theother segment 112 by a distance equal to one half of the diameter of theviewing apertures 84.

A slidable cap control device having the physical constructionpreviously described with reference to FIGS. 7, 22 and 23 may respond tovariations in a light pattern that does not include a moving scan line48. Referring to FIG. 29 in conjunction with FIGS. 7 and 22, the lightpattern 94 a may be one having a brightness which progressively changesalong the length of the pattern. Thus the location sensing signalproduced by the photosensor 32 has a magnitude which progressivelychanges as cap 78 is moved from setting to setting along the tracks 81and may be used to vary the control signal which is produced by thecontrol device in the manner which has been previously described withreference to the embodiment of FIG. 18.

Use of electronic display screen generated light for tracking operatormovement of a control member is not limited to devices of the previouslydescribed kind in which a photosensor responds to light variationswithin a light pattern. A display screen, provided primarily forproducing changeable graphics, may also function as the light source forphotoelectric movement detection means of the kind that has heretoforerequired a light emitting diode or the like to produce light. Thisenables elimination of the light emitting diodes or other distinct lightemitting components and the circuit complications which are attendantthereon. FIGS. 30 and 31 depict a circuit control device 116 a of thiskind.

Except as herein described, components of the control device 116 a maybe similar to those of the control device 116 previously described withreference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Thus, with reference jointly to FIGS. 30 and31, the circuit control device 116 a has a rotatable knob 117 a snapengaged on an annular outer base member 118 a which is secured to theface of an electronic display screen 13 within the image display area22. The display screen displays images 14 around the periphery of theknob 117 a that identify successive settings of the control device andalso displays a virtual pointer image 17 that moves to identify thecurrent setting of the control device 116 a.

Data processor tracking of operator turning of knob 117 a is enabled bya cylindrical encoding drum 146 which extends towards display screen 13from the knob. Drum 146 is centered on the axis of rotation 122 of knob117 a and encircles an inner base member 119 a that is secured to theface of the display screen 13. Referring to FIG. 32, light transmissivewindows 147 in drum 146 are angularly spaced apart around thecircumference of the otherwise opaque drum. The spacing of the windowsfrom each other is equal to the breadth of the windows to provide forgeneration of a quadrature code as will hereinafter be described.

Referring again to FIGS. 30 and 31, photoelectric detection of operatorturning of the knob 11 a is enabled by conditioning the display screen13 to display a pair of white areas 148 within a black background. Theareas 148 are angularly spaced apart, by 90° in this particular example,relative the axis of rotation 122 of the knob 117 a. A pair photosensors32A and 32B of the previously described kind are disposed within theinner base member 119 a and each views a separate one of a pair ofmirrors 149 which are disposed in the outer base member 118 a, throughthe windows 147 of the encoding drum 146. Mirrors 149 are oriented toreflect light from the white display screen areas 148 to photosensors32A and 32B through focusing lenses 33 situated in the inner base member119 a. A light pipe or fibre optic 151 preferably extends from eachwhite area 148 to the associated mirror 149 to provide for greater lightintensity at the mirrors. Thus the output signal from each photosensor32A, 32B switches between a low state when the photosensor is receivinglight through a window 147 of the encoding drum 146 and a high statewhen light is blocked from the photosensor by an opaque portion of thedrum.

Switching of the output voltages of the photosensors between the highand low states as the operator turns knob 117 a enables digital dataprocessor tracking of the amount of rotary movement and the direction ofthe rotary movement as the outputs jointly provide a quadrature code ofthe known kind. In FIGS. 33A to 33D, the output of photosensor 32A isdesignated “A” and the output of photosensor 32B is designated “B”. At afirst angular orientation of the encoding drum 146, shown in FIG. 33A,both photosensors 32A and 32B receive light and thus both outputs A andB are low. This provides what may be termed the 00 digital status. Afteran increment of clockwise turning of drum 146, light is blocked fromphotosensor 32B while photosensor 32A remains illuminated providing an01 digital status as shown in FIG. 33B. Another increment of clockwiseturning of the drum 146 blocks light from both photosensors 32A and 32Bproviding a 11 digital status as shown in FIG. 33C. Still anotherincrement of the clockwise turning, shown in FIG. 33D, again illuminatesphotosensor 32B while light remains blocked from photosensor 32Acreating the 10 digital status. Further clockwise turning of the drum146 causes this sequence of digital status's to be repeated as long asthe turning continues. Counterclockwise turning of the drum 146generates a reversed sequence of the digital status's which is repeatedas long as the counterclockwise turning continues.

FIGS. 34A and 34B depict a decoding program which enables digital dataprocessor tracking of the amount of rotation and direction of rotationof the drum 146 for the purpose of varying the magnitude of the controlsignal which is outputted by the control device. The programrepetitively checks the status of the photosensor outputs A and B andincrements an accumulated pulse count in an additive or subtractivemanner each time that the status changes from one of the conditionsshown in FIGS. 33A to 33D to another status. The control signal which isoutputted by the circuit control device and the position of the virtualpointer 17 shown in FIG. 30 is repetitively conformed with the currentaccumulated pulse count.

More particularly, with reference again to FIGS. 34A and 34B, theprogram clears the accumulated pulse count to a count of zero followingstart up as shown at box 152. This corresponds to the 0° setting of therotary knob of the control device. Subsequently the program reads andstores the current status of the two photosensors, as indicated at box153, to enable detection of any operator turning of the knob. If eithersensor output A or sensor output B has changed the program again readsand stores the status of the sensor outputs as indicated at boxes 154,155 and 157. If there has been no change in either sensor output theprogram checks to see if a pre-established sampling period has expiredas indicated at box 156 and if it has not loops back to box 154 andagain checks to see if there has been a change in the output of eithersensor output. If the sampling period has expired without any change ineither sensor output, the program restarts the sampling period and thusagain loops back to box 154 and resumes checking of the sensor outputs.

When a change in the sensor outputs has caused a new sensor outputstatus to be stored at box 157, the program executes a directionsubroutine at box 158 to determine if the detected turning of the knobwas in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction which subroutine willhereinafter be further discussed. As indicated at box 159 theaccumulated pulse count is then incremented in an additive orsubtractive manner depending on the direction of the knob movement. Theprogram then starts a dropout timer as indicated at box 160 and resumeschecking for a change in the outputs of the sensors as indicated atboxes 162 and 163 and 165. If a change in either sensor output isdetected and the dropout timer period has not expired, the program loopsback to box 157 and repeats the operations described above withreference to boxes 157, 158 and 159. If the dropout timer period expiresbefore a change in either sensor output is detected the program loopsback to box 154.

The direction subroutine 158 is depicted in FIG. 34B. Referring jointlyto FIGS. 34B and 33A to 33D, if the previous digital status of thesensor outputs is the 00 status and a new status is 01 as indicated atboxes 164 and 166, then the program sets the directional flag tocounterclockwise. The directional flag is set to clockwise if the newstatus is not 01. Referring to boxes 167 and 168, the direction flag isset to counterclockwise if the previous status is 01 and the new statusis 11. If the new status is not 11, than the flag is set to clockwise.Referring to boxes 169 and 171, the direction flag is set tocounterclockwise if the previous digital status is 10 and the new statusis 00. If the new status is not 00, than the flag is set to clockwise.As shown at box 172, the direction flag is set to counterclockwise ifthe previous status is not 10 and the new status is 10. The flag is setto clockwise if the previous status is not 10 and the new status is alsonot 10. Following determination of the direction of knob movement inthis manner, the program returns to box 159 of FIG. 34A

Referring again to FIGS. 30 and 31, the detailed construction of therotary knob circuit control device 116 a may differ in a variety of waysfrom the specific embodiment which has been described. For example, theangled mirrors 149 are not needed if, as shown in FIG. 35, the linearlight pipes or fibre optics 151 are replaced with light pipes 151 awhich are curved to transmit light 148 from the displace screen 13directly into the windows 147 of light encoding drum 146. As anotherexample of variations of the control device, the light encoding drum 146need not have the light transmissive windows 147 if, as shown in FIG. 36it is replaced with a drum 146 a having light reflective mirrors 147 aat the locations of the windows. The mirrors 147 a face towards the axisof rotation of drum 146 a in this example. A pair of curved light pipes151 a which extend within the inner base member 119 a direct lightgenerated by the display screen 13 towards the inner surface of the drum146 a. The light pipes 151 a are oriented to direct the light alonglight paths 176 which intersect the drum 146 a at an angle smaller thana 90° angle and are positioned to cause the light paths to intersect thedrum at the same location that the light paths intersect the drum in thepreviously described embodiment. Photosensors 32A and 32B and focusinglenses 33 are situated in the inner base member 119 a and are positionedto receive light which is reflected by mirrors 147 a when the mirrorsare traveled into the light paths 176. The control device of FIG. 36 mayotherwise be similar to that of FIGS. 30 to 34B and may operate in asimilar manner.

The light encoding drum 146 need not necessarily be configured to createa quadrature code of the above described kind as the knob of the controldevice is turned. Other ways of varying a control signal in response toturning of the drum are possible. For example, with reference to FIG.37, the drum 146 b may have a light transmissivity that progressivelyincreases or decreases at successive locations around the circumferenceof the drum. This causes the output voltage of photosensor 32 toprogressively increase or decrease as the knob 117 is turned between itsuccessive settings. The output of the photosensor 32 may be useddirectly as a control signal for a controlled circuit or may beamplified and used for that purpose or may be processed in an analog todigital converter in order to control a digital circuit. A controldevice 116 c of this kind does not necessarily require more than onephotosensor 32. Except as herein described, the physical construction ofthe control device 116 c of FIG. 37 may be similar to that of theembodiment of FIGS. 30 and 31.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain specificembodiments for purposes of example, many other modifications andvariations are possible and it is not intended to limit the inventionexcept as defined in the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A control device for providing a control signal toelectrical apparatus wherein at least one photosensor in said controldevice detects movement of a moveable member, which photosensor respondsto light produced by a light source, wherein the improvement comprises:an electronic image display screen employing a frame refresh timingscheme; said control device being disposed in front of said electronicimage display screen within an image display area thereof which displayscreen displays changeable images conveying information pertinent tooperation of the control device, said display screen also being saidlight source, said photosensor generating said control signal inresponse to variations in the image content of said changeable imagesand independently of said frame refresh timing scheme of said electronicimage display screen, and means for converting said control signal fromsaid photosensor to data indicating at least one of a group of controldevice parameters that include the position of said control device onsaid display screen and the rotational orientation of said controldevice.
 2. The control device of claim 1, wherein said moveable memberof said control device is a knob which is engaged on a base that isattached to said screen and which is turnable about an axis of rotation.3. The control device of claim 2 further including a display screencontroller coupled to said image display screen and being conditioned tocause display of an image and wherein successive locations in said imageare viewed by said photosensor when said knob is turned, said displayscreen controller being further conditioned to move a light variationthrough said locations in said image which light variation is detectableby said photosensor to produce a location sensing signal indicative ofthe current angular orientation of said knob.
 4. The control device ofclaim 3 wherein said display screen controller is conditioned to move ascan line image along a path extending through said locations, said scanline image having an optical characteristic which is detectable by saidphotosensor thereby enabling production of knob position sensing signalsby said photosensor.
 5. The control device of claim 4 further includinga digital data processor coupled to said photosensor and to said displayscreen controller, said digital data processor having means for storinga changeable first value which identifies the last operator selectedsetting of said knob, means for storing a second value which isindicative of the current position of said scan line image along saidpath as determined by the position of the photosensor, means forconforming said first value with said second value in response to saidknob position sensing signals, and means for varying said control signalin response to variations of said first value.
 6. The control device ofclaim 3 wherein said photosensor is disposed in said knob and views saidimage through a light transmissive path therein.
 7. The control deviceof claim 3 wherein said photosensor is attached to said base andsituated at said axis of rotation, said knob having a light transmissivepath which extends radially relative to said axis of rotation andthrough which said photosensor views locations in said path as said knobis turned.
 8. The control device of claim 7 wherein said lighttransmissive path is formed at least in part by a light pipe which turnswith said knob.
 9. The control device of claim 7 wherein a plurality oflight transmissive paths in said knob extend radially relative to saidaxis of rotation enabling simultaneous viewing of a plurality of saidlocations in said path by said photosensor as said knob is turned by anoperator and wherein a pair of said light transmissive paths have agreater angular spacing from each other than the angular spacing ofothers of said light transmissive paths from each other.
 10. The controldevice of claim 1, wherein said moveable member is a cap which isslidable along a track, said track and cap being in front of said imagedisplay area of said electronic image display screen, further includinga display screen controller coupled to said image display screen andbeing conditioned to cause display of a light pattern which extendsalong said track and wherein successive locations along said lightpattern correspond to successive settings of said control device, saidphotosensor being carried by said cap in position to receive light fromsaid successive locations along said light pattern as said cap istraveled therealong.
 11. The control device of claim 10 wherein saiddisplay screen controller is conditioned to move a scan line image alonga linear path through locations in said light pattern, said scan lineimage having an optical characteristics which is detectable by saidphotosensor enabling said photosensor to produce location sensingsignals.
 12. The control device of claim 11 further including a digitaldata processor coupled to said photosensor and to said display screencontroller, said digital data processor having means for storing achangeable first value which identifies the last operator selectedsetting of said control device, means for storing a second value whichis indicative of the current position of said scan line image along saidlinear path as determined by the position of the photosensor, means forconforming said first value with said second value in response to saidlocation sensing signals, and means for varying said control signal inresponse to variations of said first value.
 13. The control device ofclaim 10 wherein said photosensor in said cap is electrically connectedto a digital data processor, said track being formed at least in part ofelectrically conductive material and wherein said track forms anelectrical connection between said photosensor and said digital dataprocessor.
 14. The control device of claim 10 wherein said displayscreen controller conditions said display screen to display a scan lineimage which moves along said light pattern through said locationstherein, said scan line image having an optical characteristic which isdetectable by said photosensor to enable production of cap locationsensing signals by said photosensor, said photosensor being a firstphotosensor, further including at least a second photosensor carried bysaid cap and which produces additional location sensing signals, saidfirst and second photosensors being positioned to view separate areas ofsaid linear light pattern as said scan line image travels therealong,the area of said light pattern that is viewed by said first photosensorbeing offset in the direction of travel of said cap from the area thatis viewed by said second photosensor.
 15. The control device of claim 10wherein said display screen controller conditions said display screen todisplay a scan line image which moves along said light pattern throughsaid locations therein, said scan line image having an opticalcharacteristic which is detectable by said photosensor to enableproduction of cap location sensing signals by said photosensor, saidscan line image having first and second segments which are offset fromeach other in the direction of travel of said scan line image, saidphotosensor being a first photosensor positioned to view said firstsegment of said scan line image, further including at least a secondphotosensor carried by said cap and which produces additional locationsensing signals, said second photosensor being positioned to view saidsecond segment of said scan line image.
 16. The control device of claim1, wherein said moveable member of said control device is a knob whichis engaged on a base that is attached to said screen and which isturnable about an axis of rotation, further including a display screencontroller connected to said electronic image display screen and beingconditioned to cause display of a light emitting area at said screen andwherein a light path extends from said light emitting area to saidphotosensor, further including a light encoding member carried by saidknob and which turns therewith and which intersects said light path,said light encoding member having an optical characteristic which varieslight transmission from said light emitting area to said photosensor assaid knob is turned to successive angular orientations thereof.
 17. Thecontrol device of claim 16 wherein said photosensor is situated at saidbase of said control device and wherein said light path extends withinsaid base, said light encoding member being a cylinder which extendsinto said base from said knob and which is centered on said axis ofrotation.
 18. The control device of claim 17 wherein said display screencontroller is conditioned to cause display of a pair of light emittingareas at said screen, wherein a pair of said photosensors are withinsaid base and a pair of said light paths extend within said base eachtransmitting light from a separate one of said light emitting areas to aseparate one of said photosensors and wherein said light encoding memberintersects each of said light paths, said light encoding member having aseries of light transmissive windows extending around the circumferenceof said cylinder and being positioned to travel across said light pathsas said knob is turned, said light transmissive windows being configuredto transmit light to both of said photosensors at a first angularorientation of said knob and to transmit light to only a first of saidphotosensors at the following angular orientation of said knob and totransmit light to neither of said photosensors at the next angularorientation of said knob and to transmit light only to a second of saidphotosensors at the following angular orientation of said knob as saidknob is turned in one angular direction.
 19. The control device of claim17 wherein a pair of said photosensors are within said base and a pairof said light paths extend within said base each receiving light whichis produced by said display screen and wherein said light encodingmember intersects each of said light paths, said light encoding memberhaving a series of light reflective mirrors extending around thecircumference of said cylinder and being positioned to travel acrosssaid light paths as said knob is turned, said light reflective mirrorsbeing configured to intercept light in each of said light paths and toreflect light to both of said photosensors at a first angularorientation of said knob and to reflect light to only a first of saidphotosensors at the following angular orientation of said knob and toreflect light to neither of said photosensors at the next angularorientation of said knob and to reflect light only to a second of saidphotosensors at the following angular orientation of said knob as saidknob is turned in one angular direction.
 20. The control device of claim17 wherein said light encoding member has a degree of lighttransmissivity that progressively changes at successive locations aroundthe circumference of said cylinder.
 21. The control device of claim 1,wherein said moveable member of said control device is a knob engaged ona base that is attached to said display screen and which is turnable tocause said photosensor to view any of a series of different locations onsaid display screen, further including a display screen controllercoupled to said display screen and being conditioned to cause display ofa light pattern at said locations which light pattern has a differentluminosity at each of said locations whereby said photosensor produces alocation sensing signal that is indicative of the current angularorientation of said knob.
 22. The control device of claim 21 including aplurality of said photosensors each of which views a different one ofsaid locations when said knob is at any selected angular orientation.23. The control device of claim 1, including a plurality of saidphotosensors, wherein said moveable member of said control device is aknob engaged on a base that is attached to said display screen and whichis turnable to cause said photosensors to view any of a series ofdifferent locations on said display screen, each of said photosensorsbeing positioned to view a different one of said locations at any giventime, further including a display screen controller coupled to saiddisplay screen and being conditioned to cause display of a light patternat said locations and to move a light variation through said locationswhich light variation is detectable by said photosensors to producelocation sensing signals that are indicative of the current angularorientation of said knob.